Pop Idol

ITV (ended 2003)

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Show Summary

Premiered: Oct 05, 2001
Status: Ended

Welcome to the Pop Idol guide at TV.com.''''Pop Idol is a reality TV talent contest, created by 19 Management to discover the popstars of tomorrow. Open auditions are held throughout the country, and a list of 500 is drawn up. The hopefuls are cut down to just 100. From these 100, 50 move on to the next stage. From this point onwards, it's the voting public who will decide who stays and who leaves. ''''Five live audition shows take place, with two of the ten contestants from each round gaining a place in the Top 10. For nine weeks, the final ten are whittled down by the public's votes, with one getting the chop each week, until only one Pop Idol remains. ''''The show has become an international success story and it now airs in many other countries. France, America, Germany and Australia are just some of the countries that have enjoyed the series since its UK debut in 2001. The four judges who pass judgement on the thousands of hopefuls are Pop Svengali Simon Cowell, who has developed a repuation for being ruthlessly honest, Pop Music Producing legend Pete Waterman, Industry Insider Nicky Chapman and Capital FM Radio DJ, Dr. Fox. Simon Cowell is also a judge on the American version of the show called American Idol. In 2005 ITV celebrated it's 50th aniversary and Pop Idol was voted the 9th best show from those 50 years to have aired on ITV.''''Series One of the show saw the rise of eventual winner Will Young, and his promosing music career. Runner-Up Gareth Gates also got a recording contract and continues to have smash hit singles. Third place contestant Darius Danesh has also gone on to great things and has had a number one single and platinum selling album. ''''The second season of the show was every bit as popular as the first. In an added twist to the format a Wildcard episode was aired for the second season giving failed applicants who the judges felt desserved it a second chance at success. The season's eventual winner was Michelle McManus who was critised for her weight to begin with but to whome the public warmed to and voted for in their millions. Her debut single was a number one hit for weeks and her album has also become a big hit in the charts. Runners-Up Sam Nixon and Mark Rhodes were given a recording contract too and went to number one with their debut single in March 2004.''''In 2002 Pop Idol won the BAFTA award for best entertainment show. It also won a National Television Award in 2002 for best entertainment show whilst Ant and Dec won the best presenters award.moreless

5.6

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Episode Guide

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S 2 : Ep 21	Grand Finale - Michelle Wins	Aired 12/20/03
S 2 : Ep 20	Judge's Choice - Sam Eliminated	Aired 12/13/03
S 2 : Ep 19	Christmas Songs - Chris Eliminated	Aired 12/6/03
S 2 : Ep 18	Big Band - Susanne Eliminated	Aired 11/29/03
S 2 : Ep 17	The Beatles - Roxanne Eliminated	Aired 11/22/03

Pop Idol News

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287

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Fan Reviews (4)

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Not even a funny show to watch!

2.5

"Terrible"

By schoolsucks2005, Jun 07, 2006 Report Abuse

This is a very pointless show full of daydreamers who have no lives, who think they can sing! I mean, Gareth Gates and Will Young, two of Britain's one week wonders are now hardly ever mentioned. I hated those two anyway, so I don't really care. I know, let's do another year so we can find more one week wonders. One word to describe this show. PATHETIC!

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0 1
Proper Saturday night entertainment

9.7

"Superb"

By mrsfleeshman, Oct 28, 2005 Report Abuse

I love Pop Idol. I think that the early auditions are amazingly funny and they are often the best parts of the series. The tension as the contestents fate hangs in the balance is often unbearable but dam fine entertainment! The show is both entertainin and clever. Simon Cowell is a genius. Long may Pop Idol reign!

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1 0
Pop Idol is the show which has transformed the world of television talent shows. The format was originated in the United Kingdom and has been sold to television networks all over the world. Simon Cowell is the judge the viewers love to hate but his viewsmoreless

9.9

"Superb"

By benmatt21, Sep 14, 2005 Report Abuse

Pop Idol is the show which has changed television talent shows for ever. The format originated on the ITV network in the United Kingdom and the format has been sold worldwide. Simon Cowell is the judge the viewers love to hate but his views are always spot on. Simon Cowell is also a judge on the American version of Pop Idol called American Idol. The show has the best hosts in the world in the duo of Ant and Dec. Other judges on the show are Neil Fox, Pete Waterman and Nicki Chapman. What is good about the show is that anyone can apply. Watching the bad singers is as good as watching those with talent. Simon's comments to those with no talent is pure entertainment! The show has made huge stars in series one winner Will Young and runner up Gareth Gates.moreless

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Pop Idol is abit funny in the way that no one can sing on that show.

4.0

"Poor"

By mbibby01, Jun 24, 2005 Report Abuse

The only reason I gave this show a 4 and not a 0.1 is because if I ever see it on the Tv I just love to take the diss out of the singers or screamers, the fact is you dont want to watch this show for the singing!, you want to watch this show for the sheer comedy that no one on the show can sing. Look at the last pop idol, Michelle McManus won the competition and look where she is today, nowhere. If you ask me I would say that nobody is going to make talent out of these people. The only Succesful winners are probably Will Young and Gareth Gates. But that was way back in time and they are nowhere now. Watch for comedy, dont watch for singing.

mbibby01moreless

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Favourite contestant?
Out of both series, who was your favourite contestant.The girl who sang YMCA in the early rounds of the first series will always m...

By mrsfleeshman, Aug 07, 2007

08/07/07

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